Evidence for an Asymmetric Distribution of Phospholipids in the Human Erythrocyte Membrane

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Abstract
The changes in phospholipid composition of the inner (cytoplasmic) surface of the human erythrocyte membrane resulting from the digestion of sealed inside-out vesicles with phospholipases A2 and C were determined. Virtually all of the phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine and 30–40% of the phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin of inside-out vesicles were found to be accessible to enzyme hydrolysis. In contrast, all of the above phospholipids of unsealed ghosts were susceptible to phospholipolytic digestion. These results are a direct demonstration of an asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the human erythrocyte membrane.